Chinese Government Bans Hip-Hop

Last month China's state media regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SAPPRFT), issued a statement apparently banning hip-hop culture and people with tattoos from appearing on television. It suggested stations should not provide platforms for people “whose heart and morality are not aligned with the party and whose morality is not noble” and “not use actors who are tasteless, vulgar and obscene.”

These sweeping pronouncements, particularly those specifically aimed at hip-hop, were met with initial shock, especially since hip-hop acts like Higher Brothers and the TV show Rap of China are -- or were -- hugely popular. Now, the TV show will likely be taken off the air. But it remains unclear to what extent the authorities will try to enforce the media ban, or even what the end game is.

Many believe that TV, and its enormous success in mainstream Chinese media, led to the current crackdown. Says Koh, “This move is individual, [aimed] particularly at those artists who happened to emerge from Rap of China, meaning PG One and Gai, to name a few." (The two rappers have been suspected of involvement in activities that the central government in China finds less than wholesome.)